Abstract

PONCE DE LEON, Patricia; DI VITA, Santiago; BIONDI, Claudia  and  VALVERDE, Juana. Exposure of erythrocyte T antigen by Ascaris lumbricoides action. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2012, vol.46, n.3, pp.393-397. ISSN 0325-2957.

Red cell polyagglutination may be due to the unmasking of the cryptic T antigen by the action of microbial neuraminidases, which remove terminal sialic acid residues in the erythrocyte membrane. Previous experiences showed that Ascaris lumbricoides capture erythrocyte sialic acid and thatglobular suspensions in enzymatic medium, incubated with this parasite, completely lost the ability to aggregate. The aim of this work was to study the erythrocyte T antigen exposure by A. lumbricoides action on the anionic charge of sialic acid deficient red cells. Studies were done on 48 adult specimen parasite extracts ([AE]) and an L1/ L2 larvae concentrate ([ALLC]: 1300-1500 larvae/mL). Group O red cells in bromelain enzymatic medium (RCB) and Control erythrocytes in saline medium (RCC) were used. The RCB sediment was incubated with an equal volume of [AE]/ [ALLC] and the RCC sediment with physiological solution during 120 minutes at 37 ºC. Plate and Tube Agglutination Tests were performed, contrasting RCB and RCC with adult and cord human sera. The results showed that 33.33% of the RCB incubated with [AE] and 66.67% of the RCB incubated with [LCAL] agglutinated with serum from adult, but not cord serum. RCB were not agglutinated with any of the sera. It is the first time that erythrocyte T antigen exposure by a parasite action is communicated. T activation could produce autoagglutination and haemolysis in the adult and would represent a transfusion risk factor in the child population.

Keywords : A. lumbricoides; Exposure; Erythrocyte T antigen.

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